In a list of 120 applicants for the Oldham Athletic job – of which Winston Bogarde is one – Gennaro Gattuso is a true standout! According to reports, the mad Italian - who was famous for his ‘no holds barred’ midfield style – has put his name forward to take charge of the Latics, in what would be a stunning state of affairs.

A once pretty good international player who enjoyed a great deal of success with AC Milan, the now 37-year-old has already endured a chequered managerial career with FC Sion, Palermo and OFI Crete, so we predict fireworks should the League One side take the plunge!

All of this got us thinking, which ex-players would be well suited to current English sides? Well, here are FIVE possible matches made in heaven…

Rivaldo – Tottenham

Rivaldo

A player who had more clubs than an angry golf enthusiast and a club that changes manager more often than most of us change our underpants, Rivaldo and Spurs could be perfect together. The Brazilian superstar also has the star factor the Lilywhites may crave to *puts tin hat on* move of the shadow of Arsenal and really be a club football fans think of when they think London.

Francis Jeffers – West Ham

Jeffers

Promised so much early on, and delivered so little… West Ham United’s 2014/15 in a nutshell and the career of Franny Jeffers. The one cap, one goal England international looked destined for the top early in his playing days, but all of the promise oozed away from the striker who bounced around the lower reaches of the English game, played in Australia and had a brief holiday… we mean spell, in Malta.

Ronaldo – Manchester United

Ronaldo

Once truly great, now a bit bloated, slow and over indulged, Manchester United and Ronaldo (The Brazilian one) have plenty in common. The Red Devils were once the very best side on the planet, but a fall from grace over the course of the last few years has left them as, potential, also rans in the race for the top four this season, which, if missed out on, could plunge them into a Liverpool-esque slide.

Robbie Savage – Leeds United

Savage

Who can resist a dig at Leeds United and Robbie Savage? Not us! Whiney, annoying and full of rubbish, the Whites and everyone’s favourite Welsh former Blackburn Rovers and Derby County player have quite a lot in common and could make a wonderful partnership… Leeds were once one of the big boys in the Champions League, while Savage was once a Manchester United player (yeah, really), and both showed they didn’t truly belong…

Phil Neville – Everton

Neville

The less glamorous of two disliked siblings, Everton and Liverpool are, sort of, like the Neville brothers. Now, bear with us, Phil is certainly the lesser of the pair in the footballing world, with, despite his best attempts, breaking free of his more dominant family member proving impossible. Everton have long been in Liverpool’s shadow, and after briefly stepping out into the sunlight a few years ago, they’re firmly back in the shade of midtable now.